Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-29
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
The Activity I'm Building Operations
Continues Unabaeed.

OTHER MATTERS or INTEREST.
An interior Arrangement OF houses now very
general in this city IL that which provides for Q
central han between the front and back rooms
This hall contains the staircase and its size Is
generally proportioned to that OF the other rooms
1t Is sometimes quite large, with q fireplace and
IL used as sitting or reception room. Then
again, Il only large enough to contain the stair
casa But, whatever the size, It is found to add
very much to the attractiveness OF the house and
solves perhaps. the most perplexing question
about the interior plan OF residence namely, the
location OF tho staircase. The central hall allows
for an ample staircase, and at the same time pre-
venus, venus me stairway from being the conspicuous
door. II there IL side light attatnable q very
pretty eject is secured by placing at the
head Of the ,rst flight Of stairs large wndow
light the central hall is often made large, and It Is
found that sufficient light is obtained through the
arrangement is especially convenient for evening
receptions a. the hall forms an outlet for the
crowded rooms on each side. In small narrow
effective, because 1t gives vista through the
house and prevents It from having contracted
appearance and then It allows wide ample en-
trance and a. the same time more space for the
In Boston this style Of arranging house interiors
IN r Phaps
the stone residence fronting on New Jersey avenue
which was erected by Gen. Butler about sixteen
years ago. NV, however, these interiors are
houseA
IMPROVING AN OLD BUILDING.
The transformation which the st. Marc Hotel
building ar Pennsylvania avenue and 9TH street is
undergoing will result in very effective piece OF
architecture. The entire west front is being re-
placed with seneca stone. The irst story is con-
structed OF the undressed stone and the upper
six stories Of the dressed stone with courses of the
fof,n pfp ndAAf
rising to the height Of the building are tho feat
ures OF this front. The building up to the ceiling
OF the second moor viii be entirely flre-proof, the
floors being built OF brick arches resting on iron
beams. the main entrance viii be on the west
front while on the avenue front there will be q
large bay window over twenty feet long. The
opening for this window Will be sparned by an
immense iron beam, one OF the largest ever made.
The architect, Mr.. Mullett, has made ample pro-
vision for the accommodation OF the business Of
the Central National Bank, which owns this prop
erty and Will occupy 1t when completed.
DIR. LoR1SG's NEW RESIDENCE.
Mr.. jas. G. Hill, architect, has prepared designs
for a residence to be erected by DR.. Francis B.
Loring, on the south side Of x street, between
l4th and 18th streets. The house will be four
stories and basement in height, and will be sur
mounted with a steep tile roof. circular bay
window runs through the three stories. The fea-
ture OF the interior will be the large central hall
house. The ONCE will be the front room. and II
will be finished with wood ceiling. The dining.
room Will De on the opposite side OF the central
hail. and the pariOr will be on the second floor
The interior finish will be in the modern STYLE and
the house Will have the cOnvenienceS and facili-
ties needed for modern housekeeping.
BUILDING OPERATIONS
The activity in building operations which has
been referred to as being something unusual TO.
this time Of the year, still continues, and archi
tects and builders are kept busy In preparing plans
and estimates. large number OF buildings are
being started, and the brick work Will be ad.
vanced as rapidly possible until the cold weather
puts stop to outdoor work. II the winter should
prove to be mild one the prospect Is that work
will continue through the entire season. While
there are great many small houses going up In
all parts OF the city, still building operations are
not confined entirely to this class Of work, but in.
clude number OF large business buildings and
hne private residences There il now In course Of
erection Two large apartment houses, the safe-de.
post building at the corner Of 18th street and New
YORK avenue and the Atlantic building on street,
not TO mention a number OF smaller buildings
and private residences Plans have been pre-
pared for the erection Of three very large build
ingA to be located on street and the Avenue,
and It IS probable that the work will be begun
early In the spring. The improvement In the
character OF the buildings used for business pur.
poses In the last few years has been marked, and
IL Is believed that this Is only tue beginning OF a
movement which Will result In greatly enhancing
the value Of property In the business portions OF
the city.